KINGSTON, Ont. — A goaltending duel between Greg Dodds and Queen's Kevin Bailie ended in a win for Western on Saturday night, as Steve Reese potted the game-winner just over a minute into the final frame to send the Mustangs past the Gaels 3-1 at Kingston Memorial Centre.
 
Reese's goal marked his second point of the night and helped break a 1-1 tie in the third period. It was only the second of 41 shots to beat Bailie on the night, while Dodds did more than his own part, turning aside 48 of the shots he faced. Matt Marantz would add an empty netter to seal the deal late in the third period.
 
The win marks Western's first road victory of the season as the Mustangs came into Saturday fresh off their second consecutive road loss of the season against UOIT. Queen's now owns a record of 3-2-0 as they head into week four action against tough opponents in UQTR and Concordia.
 
Both goaltenders were tested heavily in the first period, as Bailie was forced to turn away 17 shots in the frame while Dodds kicked away 14. But both backstops were up to the task, and as a result the two teams headed into the intermission without a goal.
 
Queen's would end up drawing first blood on the night, as Spencer Abraham broke the scoreless tie just over three minutes into the second frame. With the first goal on the board, the Gaels' offence sensed blood in the water and proceeded to dominate, buzzing around the Mustangs zone and generating a number of great chances through the next few minutes.
 
But perhaps all that buzzing without scoring helped played a part in their demise, as a huge save by Dodds seemed to tilt the momentum ever so slightly back in the Mustangs favour. The sophomore goaltender absolutely robbed the Gaels forward, who picked off a Western pass the offensive blue line only to be stopped by Dodds' outstretched pad on the breakaway.
 
To make matters worse for the Gaels, the play would end with Corey Bureau in the box for slashing, giving Western an opportunity to pay Dodds back for his effort. And pay him back they did, as De Coste cashed in on the man advantage to tie the game at one goal apiece.
 
At that point, Bureau's penalty was Queen's second of the period, a large amount if you consider the Gaels had managed to register just six through their first four games. But Western was able to force their opponent into taking penalties on the night, as Queen's ended up with five infractions compared to Western's three. Both teams would end up with a goal on the power play, as Queen's only goal of the night came during a too many men infraction for Western.
 
But Queen's wouldn't cash in when they needed it most, when penalties to Steve Reese and Matt Paltridge helped give the Gaels a long five-on-three midway through the third period. Dodds was a monster in net during the kill, turning away a number of chances to spoil the opportunity. Reese scored the only goal of the period, opening the frame with the eventual game-winner just one minute and 15 seconds in.
 
Notes
 
Noah Schwartz almost had his five-game point streaks snapped on the night but beat out the Queen's defender and fed Marantz for the empty-netter. Schwartz's line— made up of him, Julian Cimadamore and Luke Karaim— has now found the scoreboard in all six games this season… Reese continued his hot streak to start the season. With his two points on Saturday he is now on a six-game point streak, during which time he has compiled four goals and four assists… De Coste's goal was his first of the season, as the talented sniper has been mired in a scoring slump to start the season… Dodds' turned away a game-high 20 shots in the third period as Queen's pressed to get the equalizer. He ended the night with a spectacular save percentage of .980% for his fourth win of the season…